REVIEW: Her Treasure Hunter Ex by Zara Keane

JayneB Reviews / Book ReviewsContemporary / enemies to lovers / Ireland / shipwreck / treasure2 Comments

When underwater photographer Katy Ryan embarks on a secret mission to salvage priceless jewels from a First World War shipwreck, she’s pissed as hell to be be pitted against Dex Fitzgerald, her super sexy treasure hunter ex.

She’d left him in the past. He’s about to blow up her future.

Declan “Dex” Fitzgerald is a treasure hunter on a mission. With a loose idea of where to find the gems, and even looser morals, Dex wrangles a last-minute job on the exploration team. And realizes he’ll have to work alongside his uptight-but-sexy-as-hell ex.

And they’re not the only ones in pursuit of the treasure. With sparks flying and oxygen tanks running low, can Dex and Katy retrieve the gems before the bad guys?

Dear Ms. Keane,

It’s time to travel back to the small Irish town of Ballybeg again. But this time, instead of spending most of the time there, the action takes place a little bit farther away, out to sea where the Celtic Sea meets the Atlantic and the wreck of the Lusitania beckons two people, and ex-lovers, with the chance to recover lost treasure. And the nights together in the small apartment they’re staying in aren’t bad either

Yay for another American heroine and points for a realistic reason to have her be in Ireland. I love her two finger salute attitude and that she can whip Dex at playing poker. Still the reasons for her to go along with crazy scheme are compelling – her doctorate on the Lucy and her mom’s med bills. Ouch. Dex the sexy Irishman is, of course, literally right at home. It was also fun seeing Sean again and getting the brief glimpse of Clio. Since this book isn’t quite as tied in with the original Ballybeg series, not having all the past characters show up or even be mentioned makes sense and certainly saves time.

With its shorter story length it helps that Dex is still (secretly) in love with Katy and she (secretly) with him. But in the interest of their separate, illegal salvage plans, they’re willing to make nice. Hmmm, the reasons for the breakup are all on her due to cheating worries? At least both regret their last argument and aren’t acting like fuckwits. After they finally do have the long needed talk, I was happy to learn that Katy’s gone to some counseling classes to help her deal with her long held fears from her father’s serial cheating on her mother. And that both she and Dex acknowledge they need to move slowly and not jump straight to forever.

Katy’s offer of no strings sex is refreshing. She’s a woman who goes after what she wants. The vibrator scene had me cracking up. At least Dex is ready and willing to learn new skills! Given the word count, the proverbial “five minute conversation” to sort through their past issues is probably the only way to believably get the romance part off and running and still leave room for more action stuff. And there’s still some time for major sexy stuff.

Already leery about the dive and the people going with her, the mysterious note Katy finds in her bag doesn’t sooth any of her worries. Is it a threat … or a warning? But still she loves her job, loves diving and loves the thought of diving to this ship. I dunno about the diving stuff but it sounds legit plus the Lucy information is gently inserted into the narrative. Fairly soon, Dex and Katy’s suspicions that the other is out after the jewels is confirmed.

The danger, when it occurs is sudden and shocking though not a surprise given certain events up to that point. The resolution to the quest is different than expected but again, not a total surprise and given Katy’s expertise in the Lucy, her theories make interesting speculative reading. Sean, Dex and Katy’s decision on what to do with what they found is comforting too.

So, a nice trip back to B, some interesting new characters, a little danger and suspense and all neatly tied in with the 100th anniversary of the Lucy. Nicely done. B

~Jayne

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Jayne

Another long time reader who read romance novels in her teens, then took a long break before started back again about 25 years ago. She enjoys historical romance/fiction best, likes contemporaries, action- adventure and mysteries, will read suspense if there's no TSTL characters and is currently reading more fantasy and SciFi.

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